1st: the obvious butt stock and grips are different.
2nd: the piston is slightly different.
3rd: the buffer is different.
I recently sent my GEN1 716 back to Sig Sauer and they sent me a new GEN2. Things went terribly wrong the first time i attached a suppressor. (AAC 762SDN-6).
The increase in back pressure destroyed the lower receiver by the buffer tube. YES, THE REGULATOR WAS SET TO SUPPRESSED MODE. I assumed that stock GEN1 buffer could handle a suppressor but it cannot. the back pressure sent the BCG slamming into the lower receiver. It chipped away the aluminum.
So, for you GEN1 owners, make sure you change your buffer to a H2 or H3 buffer if you are going to run suppressed. When i received my GEN2 716, the buffer is different than my GEN1. I can clearly see H2 etched into the it.
Now that i think back, the GEN1 buffer could have been a .223 buffer. I highly recommend that all GEN1 716 owners invest in a H2 buffer. It will not affect regular operation mode. Also, it could reduce some felt recoil for you.
On a side note, customer service was excellent. They sent back a new rifle and all my parts. I complained that i did not like the new buttstock and grip. they were contibuting factors for my original purchase. They sent me back my GEN1 Magpul parts. (they fit perfectly) 10min swap.
rifle swap: 10days including weekends.
parts shipping 14days.
I think the GEN2 shoots better too! maybe... lol
2nd: the piston is slightly different.
3rd: the buffer is different.
I recently sent my GEN1 716 back to Sig Sauer and they sent me a new GEN2. Things went terribly wrong the first time i attached a suppressor. (AAC 762SDN-6).
The increase in back pressure destroyed the lower receiver by the buffer tube. YES, THE REGULATOR WAS SET TO SUPPRESSED MODE. I assumed that stock GEN1 buffer could handle a suppressor but it cannot. the back pressure sent the BCG slamming into the lower receiver. It chipped away the aluminum.
So, for you GEN1 owners, make sure you change your buffer to a H2 or H3 buffer if you are going to run suppressed. When i received my GEN2 716, the buffer is different than my GEN1. I can clearly see H2 etched into the it.
Now that i think back, the GEN1 buffer could have been a .223 buffer. I highly recommend that all GEN1 716 owners invest in a H2 buffer. It will not affect regular operation mode. Also, it could reduce some felt recoil for you.
On a side note, customer service was excellent. They sent back a new rifle and all my parts. I complained that i did not like the new buttstock and grip. they were contibuting factors for my original purchase. They sent me back my GEN1 Magpul parts. (they fit perfectly) 10min swap.
rifle swap: 10days including weekends.
parts shipping 14days.
I think the GEN2 shoots better too! maybe... lol